Maya Ungar from Englewood, New Jersey, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on May 26, 2014.
With the help of Areyvut, she selected two Mitzvah Projects to complete in honor of her Bat Mitzvah: Mural for Leket, and Cupcakes for Project Next Step.
We asked Maya a few questions to learn more about her Mitzvah Projects:
MM: Can you give us details about your Mitzvah Projects?
MU: I worked with Areyvut, a non-profit that, among other things, helps Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids come up with meaningful Mitzvah Projects.
MM: What did you decide to do?
MU: I decided I wanted to complete two projects. We created a mural for Leket to hang up in their warehouse in Israel where the food is gathered. For Project Next Step, we decorated cupcakes to deliver to their drop-in center for the homeless.
MM: These activities took place during your Bat Mitzvah celebration?
MU: Yes, we had hired a muralist, Kelli Bickman, and a cupcake decorator, L’via Weisinger, to facilitate the program. My friends just walked up and joined in with the mural and the cupcakes.
Artist Kelli Bickman helps Maya with the mural
MM: What about the t-shirts?
MU: The t-shirts were from Areyvut’s National Mitzvah Day and kept my friends paint free during the painting process.
Maya’s friends take turns working on the mural
MM: How long did these projects take?
MU: Both projects were primarily completed on the date of my Bat Mitzvah (though there was prep work involved, as well as significant “post-production” work in the case of the Leket mural).
The decorated cupcakes
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
MU: I decided to do my Bat Mitzvah project with Leket because I love food, and who doesn’t like food? Leket helps gather food and delivers it to families in need, which I think is amazing. The reason I chose to make a mural was because I love art projects, and to have one at your own Bat Mitzvah is pretty cool. The mural will be sent to the Leket office and will definitely brighten someone’s day.
Maya in front of the completed mural for the Leket offices in Israel
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
MU: To me, doing a Mitzvah Project for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is the beginning mitzvah, leading to a life full of mitzvot. I do not think it should be one project and then you’re done, it should be the starting point to many mitzvot.
We thank Maya for sharing both her Mitzvah Projects with our readers. For more information about Areyvut, visit their Website.
